Special athlete makes a mark in cricket, volleyball, chess

M Aamir Khan

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 11

More than 20 years back, Abdul Rouf had felt dejected when he realised that his son Amir Rouf could neither hear nor talk. However, he soon found out that his son was a fighter, who never allowed his speech and hearing impairment come in the way of his dreams.

Amir, 24, took to taekwondo at an early age and started excelling in other sports as well. In 2014, Amir had made his father proud by making it to the IPL for Deaf and Mute and he has also brought laurels in volleyball and chess.

After good performance in a skiing event last winter, Amir has now set his eyes on making it to international skiing events abroad. His father is confident that his son will do well in skiing as well as Amir continues to touch new heights with his achievements despite his speech and hearing impairment.

“He never let his impairment come in the way of his success. We are proud of him and Amir now wants to take part in international skiing events abroad. After playing for J&K in the deaf and mute cricket team and then Indian team, he participated in the IPL for Deaf and Mute in 2014. He has also participated in national events of other sports, including volleyball and chess in Kolkata, Punjab, Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore,” said Rouf while pointing to dozens of trophies and certificates displayed at their house in the Bemina area of the summer capital.

Rouf’s only regret is that the government was not coming forward in a big way to encourage special athletes, like his son, who works as a temporary computer operator at the state’s Cable Car Corporation.

“The government is not coming forward in a big way. If they at least give him a permanent job that would give him wings,” added Rouf, who along with other family members communicate with Amir through a sign language.

Rouf said Amir also wanted that the government should do more for the special children. “The government must open more schools for specially abled children all across the Valley and have hostel facilities for students of poor families of far-flung areas so that they do not feel neglected,” he said.